Surname Petermichel - Meaning and Origin

Petermichel: What does the surname Petermichel mean?

The surname Petermichel is derived from the German words “Peter,” which is a form of “Petrus,” meaning ‘rock’ and ‘Michel,’ which is a form of ‘Michael’ meaning ‘who is like god?" Consequently, the surname Petermichel essentially means “Like a Rock of God.”

There are various spellings of this surname; however, many of the spellings are standardized across Germany, such as Petermichl, Pettermeier, and Pietermeier. The majority of Petermichel families residing in Germany originate from Pfalz (Palatine), Bavaria, Hesse-Nassau, and Saxony. Exact variations of the spellings of this surname may vary due to migrations.

The earliest mention of the Petermichel family was in 1240, referencing holy Roman Emperor Friedrich II to the village of Padberg. It is believed that the Petermichel family name was already in use then, as many documented records contain information about the Petermichel family name from the middle ages and beyond.

Generally, the Petermichel family name was attributed to many royal families across Europe, the most notable of which were the Counts of Nassau-Siegen, who used the family name beginning in the 17th century.

Distinguishable by its unique origin story, the Petermichel family name stands out because of its phrase from German identity and its connection to royal households.

Petermichel: Where does the name Petermichel come from?

Petermichel is a surname that is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, and France. It’s an old French name, derived from ‘petrus’, the Latin word for ‘rock’, and ‘michael’, interpreted as either a Saint’s name or a term for ‘a who resembles God’. In the Netherlands, its spelling is often ‘Petersmichel’, while in France, it is often spelled ‘Pétersmichel’.

In Germany, the surname initially appeared in medieval records as ‘Petri Michel’ and is found today in northern Germany, particularly in the Lower Rhine cities and towns of Emmerich, Rees, Grefrath, Kleve, and Goch. The area is a mix of German, Dutch, and French influence. In the US, the surname has also existed since the mid-1700s, with several large clusters in the Midwestern and Northeastern states.

In the Netherlands, Petermichel is found across the country, particularly concentrated in the more historical parts of the country, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. There is also a sizable existence of the surname in the French-speaking parts of the Netherlands, especially in Limburg province.

In France, the surname is most commonly found around the northeastern cities of Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, and Kortrijk. It is also present in other parts of the country with French-Flemish connections, such as the Bordeaux region. The surname has also spread to other parts of the world, such as African countries like Gabon and Congo, and other countries in Europe and the Americas.

Variations of the surname Petermichel

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Petermichel include:

Pettremiche, Petermecheul, Pietermiche, Pietermichell, Pietermechel, Pettermichel, Pettermechel, Petremecheul, Pieremecheul, Peteremichel, Peteremecheul, Pehteremichel, Peteremicheul, Pehteremecheul, Petermeheul, Pettremeheul, Petremicheul, Petremichel and Petermecheul.

The surname Petermichel is of German origin. Records of the name Petermichel can be traced to the Rhineland region located in Germany. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Uota Patelmeheul, who was documented in Urkunden des Archivs zu Trier in 1353. The name is derived from the root “michel” which means “one who is like God” or “God-like”.

The exact history and etymology of the surname Petermichel can be hard to trace due to its numerous variations, spellings and surnames related to its origin. Its existence can be found throughout various parts of Europe, including modern-day Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. In the United States, there are many people who are descendants of individuals from the German branches of the Petermichel family who settled in colonial America.

Famous people with the name Petermichel

• Eric Petermichel: German actor best known for his role in the television series Alarm für Cobra 11– Die Autobahnpolizei.
• Sylvia Petermichel: German actress, playwright and painter.
• Theodor Petermichel: German sculptor and medalist from the beginning of the 20th century.
• Rainer Petermichel: German author and literary critic.
• Max Petermichel: German architect, one of the first practitioners of the style known as "New Objectivity".
• Karl Pieter Petermichel: German doctor and researcher.
• Bartholomäus Petermichel: German theologian, historian, and linguist.
• August Petermichel: German lawyer, diplomat, and politician.
• Anton Petermichel: German-American painter, sculptor, and musician.
• Erich Petermichel: German professor of geography and ethnology.

Other surnames

Petermichl